2003 Ford Focus
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Decode a VIN7 recalls and 1,017 owner complaints on record for this model year.
Almost all of this describes the model year, not the individual car. Nothing here can tell you about this vehicle’s mileage, accidents or ownership — no identifier encodes those.
I HAVE BEEN IN THE WRECKER BUSINESS FOR 20 YEARS, THIS BEING THE SECOND FORD FOCUS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THIS YEAR. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT PERFORM ADEQUATELY WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THEREFORE PUTTING THE PASSENGERS AT RISK OF SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE MENTIONED ABOVE LOST CONTROL, AND SLID SIDEWAYS INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC RESULTING IN AN IMPACT TO THE PASSENGER DOOR AND RESULTED IN A FATALITY OF THE DRIVER..THE AREA OF PROTECTION SURROUNDING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IS INADEQUATE IN THAT IT DOES NOT PROVIDE SAFETY UPON IMPACT. THIS BEING THE SECOND FOCUS TOWED RECENTLY, IT HAS BECOME APARENT TO ME THAT THESE LIGHT WEIGNT VEHICLES PROPOSE A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE PUBLIC AND SHOULD BE RE-EXAMINED. *TR
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED. NOW LAST NIGHT THE ENGINE, STEERING AND BRAKES LOST ALL POWER. THE RESULT IS NOW 4 PEOPLE GETTING INJURED AND 2 CARS DAMAGED. NO FATALITIES BUT ALL 4 EXPERIENCED THEIR FIRST CAR ACCIDENT. THEY ARE ALL SORE AND BRUISED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THESE CARS TO FIX THIS OBVIOUS ISSUE. I GUESS SOMEONE MAY HAVE TO LOSE THEIR LOVED ONE BEFORE FORD WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY MADE A LOT OF BAD CARS! BETTER NOT BE MY LOVED ONES!!! I'LL MAKE SOMEONE PAY DEARLY!!!! *TR
DT: CONSUMER HAS A 2003 FORD FOCUS WHICH WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION ON AUGUST 7, 2005 WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING AND APPLIED BRAKES BEFORE IMPACT, WHEN THE OTHER VEHICLE HIT THE FRONT END VEHICLE WENT OUT OF GEAR AND WAS KNOCKED BACKWARDS. ROAD WAS DRY AND CLEAR OF DEBRIS. CONSUMER, SON AND , DAUGHTER SUSTAINED INJURIES. . CONSUMER SUSTAINED LOWER BACK AND NECK INJURIES, . SON AND DAUGHTER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES. POLICE AT SCENE WERE SHOCKED THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALL OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. *AK
THE ACCIDENT THAT TOOK PLACE ON 5/29/03 INVOLVED A 2003 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON DRIVEN BY MY SON. THERE WAS IMPACT WHERE A PARKED CAR AND A TREE WAS INVOLVED,AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. I THOUGHT AIRBAGS WERE A SAFETY FEATURE THAT SHOULD HELP PREVENT BODILY INJURIES. I WROT A LETTER TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY YET I HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE TO THIS MATTER. I ALSO SPOKE TO ONE OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES BY THE NAME OF "MARY" WHO WAS SUPPOSE TO BE GIVING THE INFORMATION TO THE ENGINEERING STAFF THAT HANDLES THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS,"YET NO RESPONSE. WHEN THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED I DIDN'T EXPECT MECHANICAL FAILURE TO OCCUR. I'AM NOT PLEASED AT ALL THAT FORD MOTOR HAS NOT CONTACTED ME CONCERNING THIS MATTER. THE PEOPLE THAT WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT ARE NOW SUING MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND MYSELF DUE TO THE ACCIDENT AND AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THEN WHEN SPEAKING TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVE SHE STATED IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILTY TO GET THE CAR OVER TO A FORD DEALER TO HAVE THE AIRBAGS INSPECTED,"I DONT'T THINK SO". I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE NATURE OF AIRBAG MECHANICAL FAILURE. MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP AND I MYSELF REFUSE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED UNTIL FORD MOTOR COMPANY SENDS SOMEONE TO INSPECT THIS VEHICLE.*AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN AROUND. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES, CONTUSIONS, A TEAR TO HER SPINE, A BROKEN RIB, AND HEART PROBLEMS AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT TO HER CHEST. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT OF THE INCIDENT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE SLID ON AN ICE PATCH , WHICH CAUSED HER TO LOOSE VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN COLLIDED ON AN EMBANKMENT. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SHE RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER NECK, FEET, AND RIBS, THE PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THE SPINE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY CONCLUDED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. ALSO THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED AT AN EXPENSE OF $450.00. SHE ALSO PAID $300.00 TO REPAIR THE DOOR LOCKS. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE SHERIFF REPORT NUMBER WAS 09004117. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,000.
CAR HAD SUDDEN ACCELERATION THAT WAS ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE--AUG 2004 CAUSING CRASH WITH 1 INJURY & CAR ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY IN REVERSE CAUSING CRASH WITH DAMAGE TO HOUSE...BOTH ACCIDENTS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL..OWNER WAS ACCUSED OF CARELESS DRIVING BUT WAS NOT AT FAULT EITHER TIME. *TR
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED BROKEN RIBS AND A CONCUSSION. ALSO, PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. VEHICLE WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS.*AK
TRAVELING EAST-BOUND ON I-10. FORCED ONTO LEFT SHOULDER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY WAS HIT SQUARE ON THE DRIVERS DOOR BY A PICKUP TRUCK TRAVELING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. VEHICLE ROLLED 3-4 TIMES BEFORE COMING TO STOP. NONE OF THE FRONT OR SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CAR ONLY HAD 5000 MILES ON IT. *NM
MY CARS IGNITION DOESN'T WORK. IT WILL LOCK ME OUT OF MY OWN CAR. I HAVE TO BANG MY KEY AS HARD AS I CAN TO GET THE IGNITION TO UNLOCK. *TR
DRIVER'S SEAT HAD A PIECE OF METAL WHICH WAS EXPOSED, AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER CUT HER LEG. *AK (SEVERAL OTHERS HAD BEEN HURT AS WELL) THE METAL WAS ONLY EXPOSED WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS PUSHED FORWARD TO ALLOW THE PASSENGER IN THE BACK TO EXIT. IF THE SEAT WAS BACKED FOR A TALL DRIVER, IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE PASSENGER TO BECOME INJURED. *SCC *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT UNATTENDED FOR APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MINUTES WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE DEFROSTER ACTIVATED. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED BACK TO THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE FRONT DRIVERS DOOR, SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT REALIZE THE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED AS WELL. THE CONTACT BURNED TWO OF HER FINGERS AS A RESULT OF ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT THEN POURED WATER ON THE SEAT AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,677. UPDATED 3/8/11 *CN UPDATED 03/14/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HYDROPLANE, CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL, AND SPUN AROUND. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES, FACIAL BRUISING, AND WHIPLASH. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE DRIVER SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR HIS INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT WHERE THEY REFUSE THE CONTACT TO VIEW/TAKE PHOTOS OF THE VEHICLE UNLESS A FEE WAS PAID. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 267,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A RETAINING WALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE RIGHT KNEE, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT, THE CONTACT'S HIP WAS DISLOCATED AND SHE SUSTAINED SEVERE BRUISING AND A LACERATION THAT REQUIRED THIRTEEN STITCHES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Filed by owners of this model year and unverified by NHTSA — one person’s account, not an established fact.
RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED PARTSMASTER WITH PART NUMBERS G68944 AND G68945. THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET SERVICE EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2000 THROUGH 2005 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A NUT WITHOUT THE NECESSARY WASHER. THE ABSENCE OF THE WASHER CAN ALLOW THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLY TO PULL APART THE TOP MOUNT.
Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-800-999-3903.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Published by model year, not by VIN — may not apply to this vehicle, or may already have been done. Confirm with a dealer.
Leakage from the fuel rail may cause fuel to be released, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
The engine control unit does not correctly detect overheating, which can allow the engine to overheat, leading to a leak of engine oil. Leaking oil can drop onto the road and create a risk of injuries to other road traffic participants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Matched on brand and model name — Safety Gate publishes no VIN. Check the production dates, and quote the recall code to a dealer.